Ormskirk man volunteered at the migrant camp "the Jungle" in Calais

An Ormskirk man is one of a handful of Britons who has given up his time to volunteer in Calais where thousands of migrants are camped out.

Matthew Wright, a former salesman who is studying languages through the Open University, arrived in the camp, known as the Jungle, last week.

Speaking in his blog posts from the camp, Matthew said: “I am thankful I get an opportunity to help out in the [food] line.

“When the food gets given out the back of the van it is quite an event.

“It is a real eye opener and not a lot of fun for those in the queue and certainly not something to volunteer for if you are faint of heart.

Matthew Wright

“It really provides some perspective and you’ll never complain again about having to wait in line at the supermarket.”

Matthew’s wife Heather, who works in a hospital, has stayed in the UK while Matthew volunteers in Calais.

A team called the L’Auberge des Migrants - a migrant aid group - are at the camp, with Matthew working alongside them.

In one of his diary entries, Matthew recalls an occasion when the L’Auberge team had more rations than they usually have access to, however there were also more people than they were used to queueing up for them, and the bread ran out with 100 people still to go.

There are thought to be around 4,000 residents in the camp, and very few shelters and little water provision.

A view of the migrant camp known as the new Jungle in Calais, France. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Matthew said: “There are a few portaloos and the showers are half a mile away.

“You only get six minutes per person per shower, per day, and you are also competing for a shower with a few hundred people.

“We did put two refuse containers on the estate, but before you are allowed to use them, you have to queue for your own hot meal a day for up to five hours.

“Now this is of course imaginary in the UK, but in the Calais Migrant Camp, this is only part of the whole reality.